The Hindu Business Line : Viagra good for the heart: Study

VIAGRA, the anti-impotency drug has an exciting new application. It is quite effective in the treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension, a serious but uncommon heart disease whose origin is yet to be ascertained. In the bargain, the treatment costs come down dramatically.

Disclosing the findings, medical researchers at the Hyderabad-based CARE Hospitals said, "We have found that Sildenafil (chemical constituent of the drug) improves exercise capacity in patients suffering from the disease."

Dr B.K.S. Sastry, a senior consultant cardiologist, who led a four-member group that studied the effect of Sildenafil (the chemical constituent of Viagra) on 22 patients explained the findings. The research team members included Dr C. Narasimhan, Dr N. Krishna Reddy and Dr Soma Raju.

The results of the clinical research, which was funded by Care Foundation, was published in the April 7 issue of Journal of American College of Cardiology.

Primary pulmonary hypertension is marked by progressive elevation of the pulmonary artery pressures that lead to heart failure and death, the researchers explained.

"While its prevalence is estimated to be about one per million in the US, it may be more in India. In Andhra Pradesh, the incidence is thought to be more in the Coastal Andhra and Telangana regions," Dr Sastry told newspersons.

The youth in the age group of 10-30 are more vulnerable. Most of the medical procedures that are in vogue are cumbersome, expensive or beneficial in only a small subset of patients.

"While the present methods cost over one and half lakh rupees, Sildenafil method costs not more than Rs 2,000," he said.

The study has proved that use of Sildenafil would obviate the need for a heart transplant, a must for the patients suffering from the disease.

"Sildenafil was well tolerated even at the very high dosage of 300 mg a day. There were hardly any side effects. Occasional minor headache, mild abdominal discomfort were reported," Dr Sastry said.

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